I remember reading stories online and in the library excitedly and hoping one day I can make something for the people. Every time I happen to check on in this account, wattpad, AOO, or quotev, I see the sweetest comments. How the tables have turned !!
I'm so glad I can inspire so many of you into writing again. I'm so glad I can offer entertainment and something to look forward to as we all wait for the next season. Please continue to be patient with me as I continue to gift to you my mind, heart and soul in words.
Moons went by and that night wasn't discussed. Mizu didn't bring it up to her apprentice, so you decided neither would you. It did not stop Ringo’s lingering glances at the dinner table while you all ate together. You would pass a bowl, and Mizu’s slender finger would hover over yours, sending you deep into a flashback so strong your body would react and the apprentice would catch it.
You would pass Mizu in the hall before she took you into one of the rooms by your waist to rob you of the air in your lungs. Intense and passionate, she would pull you in and you would be sure that she would take you right then and there. She would break away and leave the room, and you wanting more. You would walk out and meet face to face with a confused Ringo.
During trainings her hands would grip in places that would force a moan to slip from your lips, followed by a glare from you shot in her direction; but she loved it. You two would fight and she would pin you almost effortlessly before crawling over your body. There was one point she managed to uncloth you slightly, exposing your collarbone for her to place her lips on. Her fingers drifted between your legs, and rubbed at your aching entrance like that of a beggar on a karamon gate. It didn't take long before she had you pinned to the trunk of a tree, embracing your lips with her own as she slid a finger between your folds. Legs squirming in the dirt, your hands went for her arms, unsure if you wanted to stop her or plead with her to explore your depths further. A familiar voice called for dinner and you let out a sorrowed sigh as she pulled out a drenched finger. Walking back inside you avoided Ringo’s eyes as you scurried past him.
He never dared question her. Mizu was his master after all, but you weren't. Ringo and you carried a different relationship to that of the samurai and him. You just weren't quite sure how to discuss this with him or what his response would be to something so queer. You sure he had questions, but you did too. You were still new to this after all.
A quiet afternoon crept up on all of you as you became aware of the setting sun. Caught up in one of Master Eji’s elderly lectures ,as men his age tend to enjoy offering from time to time, had made time race past you, and when you noticed he was growing tired is when you decided it would be respectful to relieve him of your presence.
Bowing deeply, you removed yourself from his hut and turned abruptly, bumping right into the meal Ringo had prepared for the saged swordfather. The greens and soba landed on your skin bringing a shock from the sudden heat and you let out a tiny yelp. Even after all this time, you were still unsure how the large man could move about as quietly and undetectable as you. Ringo’s soft hearted nature immediately made you the focus point, placing the tray on the ground to check if you had been burned badly, but you reassured him with a wave of your hand and a small nod that you were fine. Now you two met eyes, which was something you two hadn't been able to hold for very long these past few days. He offered a small smile, but you could see there was a sadness behind his eyes. It seeped into you and you let out a sigh before reaching over to pick up the tray. He tried to reach for it, but you blocked him with your shoulder.
“ We will go together.”
You sat in silence as you poured more vegetables into a clean bowl, and he watched the soba boil in its water. Though it was only two of you, a third presence sat between you. That of a conversation that needed to be had. How could you break this tension that sat so smugly between you and with someone who conversation flowed so easily from. Your mind scavenged for topics to ease into this discussion.
“Master seems happier.” he broke the silence, stirring the pot slightly. The statement brought your mind to Mizu and her behavior the past few weeks. Her playfulness, her eagerness to touch and hold, her regular scowl that you were convinced was how she emerged from her mothers womb has even slipped revealing a more sincere relaxed expression. She has been happier, you acknowledged mentally.
“It appears so.” you finally admitted, hiding the shy joy in your tone.
“Are you?”
“Am I what?” you asked, your mind already slipping from the conversation to recall Mizu’s behaviors.
“Happier.”
It was then you stopped picking, and turned to meet Ringo’s wide brown eyes. He was already looking in your direction, and you could tell on his face he was hoping for a positive response. It didn't cross your mind before, but now it was apparent. Ringo truly viewed you as a friend. How could you have forgotten that throughout your kidnapping, and him tending to your wounds both physical and emotional that he was the most kind. He admired his master and looked up to her and all her greatness, but to him you were a companion. Someone he would care for with all of his heart.
And he missed his friend.
You gave him a simple nod followed by the most genuine smile you felt you had ever given him the months you had known each other, and was greeted with Ringo’s ray of a smile. That was enough for him. A soft laugh from his chest followed by yours that caused you to lean over and rest your head on his arms for support. You both sat there in unison. In all your years you never thought you would be given the chance to experience this kind of softness from anyone let alone another man.
How lovely it was to care for the same person.
How tender it felt to have a friend.
Gathering the remade dinner tray, you both made your way to the door to go your separate ways. Him to Master Eji, and you to find Mizu. Before you split off he turned to you to ask one simple question
“How does it..work?”
There was genuine curiosity and confusion in his eyes that brought a smile to your face once again. You didn't need further details to understand what he was asking, but you didnt feel you needed further details to explain how this worked between Mizu and you. A simple word was enough.
I dedicate this chapter to my own personal spring flower. J, when I started writing this, my garden heart was strew, the gates barricaded and me deeply hidden in the center. You entered my life with the determination of a gardener and as gentle as the flower you are named after showed me how soft and sensual true love can be. Admiring you while we rest is a night shift I wouldn't exchange with anyone; and I hope that the universe favors us to allow many more soft spring mornings spent together, my strong sailor. My lover. My muse.
Warm air blew strands of hair across your face repeatedly, tickling your nose and summoning you out of slumber. Sunrise brought a warm glow to the room, making you feel comforted until you realized quickly these were not your usual surroundings. Your eyes shot up and you jolted awake with sudden movement before you realized you were latched down to the ground with weight. Shifting your gaze, you glanced down quickly to notice skin across yours. Your blurry morning vision cleared enough to realize it was an arm, wrapped firmly around you. Trailing this arm lead you to a half exposed Mizu, resting peacefully beside you. Serenity washed over you like a strong wave as you realized you were not only safe, but cherished. Clung to like a child's favorite ningyō. Ever so slowly, you lowered yourself back into position so as to not wake her, but turned to now gaze at another sight you have never seen before.
Mizu in this lighting was beautiful. Her tousled hair covered most of her face, but it was small peaks that caught your eye. Her nose was a light pink as she exhaled softly onto your face. Her usual masculine scowl that she carries so well had softened, bringing gracefulness to her features that you appreciated even more. Her breasts were exposed to you and they were as soft and plump as sweet peaches that grew each spring. Once again you wished you could capture this moment forever.
You also wished you could kiss her, but nervousness took over you. You didn't remember what time you two had finally fallen into slumber, but you do remember the sun was beginning to rise as the heat from your conjoined flame was coming to an exhausted dim, the waters coming to a slower pace until they became still. To wake her now would be a disservice, but the desire to meet her lips with yours was so strong in this moment as you watched her rest.
Your mind began to wander as you admired her features. Soft breaths becoming heavy pants, skin gliding against skin, firm hands gripping you in ways you never thought you would appreciate until last night. The memory was pulling at you, bringing you back to the moments you two shared that will forever be embedded deep in your mind. Mizu’s neck elongated as she tightened her grip on your (H/C) hair, her eyes closing as you pleased her the way she taught you, the beauty of her low groans and the way she spoke your name as soft as moonlight-
“(Y/N)...”
Startled, you were brought back to the present. You noticed almost immediately how your body was reacting to a mere recall of memory already. Your body remembered what she could do to you, and in doing so craved more. You felt a small leakage already pooling, and prayed it wouldn't be like this all day.
Instead of speaking, you nudged your head under her chin to show her you were awake as well. You couldn't trust your throat to speak without whimpering for her the way you had the night before. Your body was already reacting to her and she hadn't done much but stir into slight consciousness.
Her arms pulled you in as if you two were not close enough in this moment. Skin to skin with your head becoming a resting spot for her chin you took the time to appreciate once again how natural this felt to you. How your bodies interlinked like connected fingers. Your arms like your digits, your navels like palms.
Could you stay like this forever? As cruel as the world had been to you, would it grace you with this act of kindness and let you rest in these strong arms for a little while longer? You gently closed your eyes so that you could take in the moment. The soft hint of sweat lingered between you two, but it wasn't the same as the scent of others. It filled your mind with sweet, reminiscent thoughts and you swore in that moment you could recognize her by any small piece of her essence. Her scent was lodged in your mind, her footsteps tracked for months, her movements studied from afar and up close. You could recognize her in a crowd, you could feel the linger of her presence in an empty room. You could catch her breath in the wind and know it was from her lungs, you could touch a tree and know just from how it leaned her hands had graced it. Now that you had become one, there was nowhere she could hide from you. You could recognize her by soul alone.
It was almost like she knew this herself, or perhaps because you were so connected now she could read your mind. Your samurai adjusted herself so that she could gaze deep into your eyes. Her ocean blues shined differently in the orange morning dew. They reflected strongly the mixture of emotions behind them. A bravura of calmness, desire, euphoria before the sun had even reached its peak. She wanted to stay in this moment as well, tangled together underneath her kakebuton.
Mizu lifted her hand and placed it behind your head, her slender fingers tangling themselves into your own tousled bedhair. You moved closer, desperate to bring erasure to the distance between your lips and she responded willingly. A morning kiss so deep you felt it in your core, so hot to the touch it competed with the gentle rays of the sun slipping indoors. Her desire was beginning to wash over you again, your body already anticipating for her touch. You wanted her to show you again how little fight you had compared to her. How your restraint was no match to her waves, how her fingers could make you sing like a little shinobue should.
“Good morning, Master.” An excited voice rang through the sliding door before it slid open. The scent of steamed rice and hot soup filled the room followed by Ringo’s just as warm smile that slowly lowered in confusion. You both scrambled to the side now like alley cats searching for your robes that conveniently were tossed across the room. Sounds of embarrassment and frustration filled the air as her apprentice lowered his gaze, she muttered for him to leave, and you let out annoyed sighs as you looked for the arm holes in your clothing. The sliding door shut quickly, but he still sat behind it as you all froze. Glancing from his shadow behind the door, to Mizu, and back again. You were unsure what to make of this. The last time it crossed your minds that there were others who could possibly come across you two and become involved was when you were sneaking into her room the night before. Now you were in a position where you were unsure what to do or how this would be taken.
“I guess peaches bloomed early this year.” you heard him mumble to himself behind the door with genuine confusion. You looked to Mizu for a reaction, and a small laugh broke out between you and your blue eyed samurai.
Trailing after the moving figure, you silently followed behind with stealth and precision. Your target crossed swiftly from one corner of the building to the other before making an abrupt pause. She turned to you now, reaching her hand out behind her where you stood. Your shadows became one as you moved in silence together. Becoming one with the shadows once more was not an unfamiliar task to you. You learned to become the silence that trailed conversations, you became as unnoticeable as the unimportant. A habit you developed because of your surrounding environment, later becoming your occupation. You grew comfortable with the idea of being smaller than nothing. You grew accustomed to lonesomeness, but here in this moment it brought genuine surprise to your spirit as this new experience was bestowed upon you. You were learning to not only become a shadow with someone, but become something of importance to them.
Years you’ve spent training to adopt silence into your language for missions, now being used to sneak into the domain of your target. The same woman who led you astray from your path, was leading you down a path of no return. Into her room. As quiet as ever.
Mizu held your hand, leading you down the now dark halls. With only the moonlight to light your path, you couldn't help but appreciate how it illuminated the muscles on her back. Her soaked hair sticking to the sides of her shoulders. How the moon highlighted her side profile as she turned to meet eyes with you almost as to make sure you hadn't changed your mind and left.
You were more sure of her in this moment than you had ever been before. Though you couldn't speak, you wanted her to hear it. To see the longing in your eyes, and how they matched the flame behind hers. To feel the heat under your skin, and how it would light her into a fire so uncontrollable, so untamable, it could set the nearby trees into flame, causing irreversible chaos to all in its path. Your body ached in ways that only she could ease, an unusual temperament that you felt only she could bring to its knees.
Mizu slid the door open with one hand. The moon revealed the colors of nervousness and how they blended so well with her own inner excitement. You were once again comforted with the knowledge that you were not alone in this. Mizu stood with you as she stood before you now, ready for you to take the first step into this new journey you two would walk together. One foot in front of the other, you stepped into her world as she guided you into the room with her palm on your back, her slender fingers sending ripples underneath your skin. The atmosphere of her room was still and calm. Not that you expected it to be draped in feminine allure and decor. It was a room for resting. Her sleeping mat lay on the floor wellmade. Her infamous sword lay close by. Her cloak and robes were tucked neatly in a corner with her glasses the color of citrus peels. There were a few miscellaneous items placed around the room, but nothing you could identify. It smelled of outside trees with hints of dampness. Something about it told you this room must have been inhabited by a child before and hasn't been touched since then.
Her world was dark and cold.
The door slid closed behind you, and you felt the warmth of her presence near your back again. You caught your breath, unsure what would happen in this moment. It was now just two of you with nothing standing in between. Who were you two when there was no force standing between you. No mission, no man, no greater purpose. No weapons to strike each other down with. No eyes to watch you. No voices telling you what to think, how to feel. Whatever happened in this room was what was meant to happen in a moment as chaotically curated as this one.
She moved past you, heading towards one of the low tables and knelt before it to light a candle. The flicker of the flame brought you into your present moment again and you let go of the breath you weren't aware you were holding. You watched as she faced the candle for a few moments, her shoulders lifting as she steadied her own breath. She stood from her kneeled position and faced you now, glancing around her room and offering you a nervous smile. You traced the shadows on her face, poorly lit by the candle, looking for any emotion of regret. The moment you caught any stray thought escaping into her body or her reactions, you’d leave. As excited as your body was, you couldn't go through with the embarrassment of regret or uncertainty. You’d run past her and flee into the dark if there was even a small hint of her craving you no longer.
“It is not much..” she started off. You were confused at first before you realized that she was hoping you’d excuse the presence of her room. A small chuckle left your lips at the sight of her before you. This great samurai, bringer of early death, silencer of any enemy who crossed her path now embarrassed, self conscious even, of the room she was bringing a lover into. A lover. Is that what you could call yourself now? Her lover? You glanced around the room one more time before slowly trailing your eyes up her figure to meet hers again. The redness in her face, the bashfulness in her expression. It was all something you could see yourself falling in love with.
“It is more than enough.” You were not speaking about the room. The candle light danced, revealing the expression that painted her face in a way that bewitched you. You couldn't take your eyes off of her now, even if you wanted to. It was all a sight to take in, and you wished secretly that you carried some hidden skill to capture this moment. In another life you could have been a skilled painter, capturing Mizu in this delicate, vulnerable stance. One you were sure not many got to witness. A warrior without her armor.
The air passed between you two, her exhale becoming your inhale. You welcomed her into you before she even had the chance to touch you again. You ached for her to fill your cavities in ways unknown to you. The distance between you two was insulting, the longing almost degrading as you both could tell there was a hunger that needed to be satisfied. The candle was not strong enough to compete with the heat in the room that was radiating from the two of you.The room began to spin like it had before when you two had fought playfully, like when she had kissed you for the first time, and again in the hot spring. Your body has begun to react, weakness spreading from your toes to your knees and you began imagining her pulling you into her almost immediately. Sinking to the floor together, your fingers running wild and allowing curiosity to finally take its course here as they began to undress the samurai starting from her strong shoulders down to her sides. It was weakening your mind, and your body was following suit.
You stepped forward, hands reaching for her waist, and met her with a passionate continuation of the moment you shared in the stream. She welcomed you with open arms, and a hunger you were joyous to experience again. Her calloused hands were warm, but they sent goosebumps down the nape of your neck as if a breeze had entered the room. She stroked your skin with her thumbs, her eyes boring into yours. It seemed as if she was looking for a hint of regret in them as well. You shook your head and pulled her closer by her robe, as if to respond to the questions racing around in her mind. You wanted this as badly as she did.
She caught your breath in her mouth and stole it from you, holding your head in place between her two hands as if to ensure you wouldn't escape. The kiss wasn't hungry, it was starving and everytime you thought she was coming up for air she was sinking into your lips again. It was as though you waded into a strong wave and it refused to let you go, but you let it take you. You let her wash you away, taking you further from shore. You could drown in her waters, and sink to her bottom knowing you chose this. You would allow her water to slip into your crevices, fill you from the inside. Whatever she craved from you, you could feel yourself giving into her whole. With every kiss, you pleaded for her to fill your lungs, to become your air.
Her hands began to wander, braver than they had ever been before now that you two were behind closed doors. It was humorous, you thought. How you two have had hands on one another in the most violent ways, but it was the way she caressed, and stroked you now that lit flames under your skin like never before. There is no greater feeling than being touched like you are desired. You have been touched out of anger, dragged and beaten. You’ve been touched out of perversion, fighting back or fleeing. You’ve even been touched out of duty, in battle and combat. Nothing beats the warmth of hands that couldn't get enough of you. Soft strokes turned to bold and daring grips, gentle brushes on your skin grew stronger as if she was fascinated and couldn't get enough of what made you you. Her curiosity intrigued you, her starvation for connection excited you and inspired your own. Lonely spirits, unfamiliar with the touch of a lover like the one that stood before her, exploring the chasm of what this budding feeling could mean.
It didn't take long for the robes to drop to her floor. Now it was her turn to admire your body, trail it with her eyes the way you had hers. You read her face carefully, looking for any sign of distaste or uncomfortableness but it never revealed itself. The only colors on her face were that of desire and yearning. Her lips explored the crevice of your throat, creating an embarrassing moan that slipped from it as if she commanded it to; and she might as well have as you no longer felt in control of your own body. She knew that. You could feel her arrogant smile you knew so well in between kisses as she brought you to the floor like a hunter pleased with catching her prey. She was going to eat you alive tonight. You were going to let her.
Big things are coming your way blue eye samurai folks! thank you for my ember will be an anthology of art, stories and poetry to celebrate Mizu and Akemi as well as sapphic mizu & its interpretations. contributor applications open September 2 🌸🌊
Cold night air greeted you, slipping its fingers through the cloth of your attire to leave hidden kisses on your skin. You had no real plan for how this would go, you had no idea on what you would say, you had just decided enough was enough and it was time to face your confusions head on.
From a distance, you could hear the water movement of the hot spring ahead. You knew she would be occupying its waters at this time of night. Just like when you caught her the first time. Her..The thought of her made you hold onto your robe a bit tighter. The signs were all there now that your mind was cleared by focused determination and you could think about it, but you weren't thinking about it. You stopped thinking about what she could have been hiding from you as you grew closer. Now that her secret was revealed to you, it has removed the rug, revealing more about you than you were ready for but that didn't matter. It was time to address these thoughts.
Your feet stopped at the edge of the spring, where the earth and water met. You stared down at it, your reflection stared back at you. Crossing this line would mean entering the waters with Mizu. It would mean facing Mizu’s truth and facing yours. That despite discovering Mizu was a woman, the feelings that nested within your heart never died. They still settle, baby birds in the spring waiting to be fed.
You looked up to catch Mizu watching you. A painter's canvas, different emotions were displayed on her face like colors. Shades of sadness, and regret. Of fear, of confusion. Of yearning. She missed your presence as much as you missed hers but you needed the distance. Even if it hurt. Feelings like this for a woman as a woman were unheard of. You’ve never met anyone who felt this way. You’ve never seen it. This wasn't like learning to throw knives, or learning to quiet your steps so that you truly become shadow like. There were only two options for this. Slip it away into the shadows to never be seen again, or let it stand in the light. Hide it, or be bold. You let your robe drop to the ground, puddling around your feet. Boldness became you.
Mizu backed away slightly as you entered the spring, fear and confusion becoming the main colors on her face. Holding your breath, you walked towards her. The spring water felt nice on your skin in contrast with the wind and the steam felt even better. You would not break eye contact. You could not break eye contact. You had to show her you weren't scared. You were willing to accept her nakedness now, her vulnerability, her secret. To reveal yours. To stand with her in her waters.
When you finally reached her, you realized you had stopped breathing. You were more anxious than you realized, but that was okay. You were being bold. Bravery walks with fear behind him, but never lets him lead. You stared into her blues, straightening your posture even though she towered over you. You would show her you were no longer frightened and indecisive. You had made your choice, and it was her. Silence passed between you two before she spoke finally, her voice low but not as confident as it usually was.
“I’ll leave-” she began, making her move around you.
“Don’t.” you cut her off with a whisper, freezing her in her spot. The silence continued.
You were truly lost here. You didn't have a plan which was unlike you, didnt think about what to say, and every miniature speech you had forming in your mind didn't seem fit. You were sure that there were no words ever spoken in the history of this world about a scenario such as this one. You must have been the first. That thought brought you discomfort. You felt so alone in the world with these feelings. So small which wasn't new to you but this wasn't like the good feeling of being small in a safe space. You felt small in a large room with nowhere to hide. You began to regret this idea.
“Im sorry-” “Forgive me-” Mizu and you spoke at the same time. The sudden interruption of eachothers voices caused you both to pause, heat rising in your faces.
“You have nothing to be sorry for-” She started
“I fled from you like a coward..” The memory of you turning and running back home stuck in your mind again. Mizu’s face, leaving her there alone. The guilt settled in, making it hard for you to hold eye contact now. You folded your arms over your chest, your shoulders rising to your neck. The warmness of the spring now felt cold.
“I hid from you like a coward.”
Slowly you shifted your gaze from the blues of the spring, to the blues of her eyes. She was still looking at you, the colors of guilt painted on her face as well. You slowly unfolded your arms, bare chest facing hers. It was understood at this moment that you weren't alone in this. Mizu had been feeling these emotions as well. You weren't sure how new to this she was, but you grew comfortable in knowing that you stood in this understanding together, the same way you stand bare in this spring. You were here, and so was she. Frightened by the vulnerability, but together in the pool of it.
Reaching out your hands, you gathered hers in your palms. Her slender hands calloused from constant trainings and fighting with her sword were larger than yours. Her fingers extended in length to interlink with yours. She began to close the distance, spring water creating ripples around your bodies. It was her turn to be brave, and you were accepting it.
“I won't hide from you.” She said in a whisper, her warm breath tickling the skin on your cheek.
“And I wont run from you.” Your voice was shaky, being this close to her was affecting you more than you thought. Nothing separated you from touching. No anger or hatred, no clothing or weapons, not even the water. Chest to chest, hand in hand. It sent rushes of excitement through your veins. Your eyes shifted from left to right, then slowly lifted to meet hers again. She was already looking into yours. A plentiful of thoughts ran through your mind. Mizu’s hair lay laxed, reaching to the middle of her back with the little black coil that was as stubborn as she was, refusing to slick back like the rest of her hair but you thought it charming. Her skin was decorated with battle scars and stitches from previous life threatening fights, you found yourself admiring her strength. To be thrown into battle and come out alive each time; greatness must lie within her for her to survive this many times . The muscles under her skin, the way her hair stuck to her the side of her face, framing her features beautifully, the way her eyes reflected the spring like a river meeting another. Your thoughts had no voice but they echoed in your mind, no legs but they ran wild. And yet none of them were as loud as your heart in this moment. You could only think of one solution to silence them, one that you’ve seen others do but never had to chance to replicate yourself, but as usual Mizu was one step ahead of you.
The kiss was soft. Mizu had lowered herself to reach you, her lips brushing yours, testing your waters before diving. You held on to eachother still while you locked lips. The feeling was electrifying and you could feel its lightning running through your veins, straight through your fingertips. She pulled back gently to look into your eyes. You weren't sure what she read, but you read a different emotion in hers. She went back in, but this time with a little more hunger. She was breathless and you were air. Her fingers unlocked themselves from yours and quickly adjusted to holding the sides of your face, pulling you in closer. You held onto her elbows gently, and leaned forward. There was a small rock under your foot you were using to elevate yourself, but standing on the tip of your toes created an unsteadiness and you slipped, falling into her. She caught you, and pulled you in even closer. Skin to skin, heart to heart. Her arms wrapped around your backside, your navals connecting. Throwing your arms up you wrapped them around her neck to pull her into you as well, and the kiss grew into a hunger. A craving. A consumption of soul through breath, You found yourself desperate for her all over again, in need to be consumed by her, to give her all of you and more. Anything that would satisfy her hunger for you, and there was a hunger. The kisses were repetitive, Her head angled from one side to the next, as if she was unsure which side she enjoyed the most.
She lapped up the moans and whimpers you left in her mouth like sweet milk. They were involuntary, you weren't even sure you could make noises like this for another person until this moment. So weak, and dizzying, your breath quickening between each kiss as she robbed it from you. It was like you had no control over your body either. Between your legs began to throb and ache, causing you to grind your hips. Back and forth, the movement of the water sliding between your thighs helped but it wasnt enough. You were beginning to grow mindless, and your body had agreed to do the thinking for you. The only issue was your lack of experience. You craved, you seeked, you longed for..something. Kissing each other was forming a typhoon in your lower regions, threatening to cross the shoreline and destroy, conquering everything in its path. You just needed something, anything, that could get you to the point your body was seeking.
Mizu stepped back, her self control only a tad bit stronger than yours as you tried to pull her back in again. She chuckled, breathless, and lowered her head to gaze into your eyes. You began to catch your breath, thankful for this chance to slow your heart as you felt you were soon to explode with an unimaginable level of lust. The woman raised her slender hand, leaving a spot for cold air to hit where her arms were now absent, and gently stroked her thumb over your cheek. A few strokes and she found herself brushing your lips. Looking into her eyes, you plumped your lips and laid a soft kiss on the padding of her thumb. Slow, beckoning. A trap. You heard a soft sound of pleasure slip out from her vocal cords, as she leaned back down to meet your lips. Pulling away this time was a little harder, as you were focused on holding her as close to you as possible. You didn't want to stop, your body craved her and you could tell hers hungered for you too. The goosebumps on her arm, her chest rising and falling fast, the nipples on her soft breast as erect as yours. You wondered if she felt the same typhoon threatening to overcome her between her legs. You wondered if there would be a time where you could explore eachothers bodies. Finding the samurai's weak spots in her armor. Fighting a battle where for once there is no loss, and everyone wins. Making the other fall to ones knees, overcome by the ocean tides within, letting the waves consume your bodies.
“Ringo,” she started but didn't finish the sentence, still out of breath.
“No..” You whimpered in protest. This couldn't be it. Not now. She had walked you to the cliff, it felt, and all you had to do was jump together.
“Yes.” she chuckled again. “He will start looking. I’m not usually out here for this long.”
“Make it a habit.” you teased in a hushed tone. The thought of more sessions like this night with Mizu excited you again; your hips twitched unintentionally. Mizu noticed, attentive as always, and lowered her hands to your sides to grip them. If it weren't for her holding you up, you were sure your legs would give way.
Water droplets slid off your skin, as clothing slipped on. Wrapping your gowns in a comfortable silence while shooting glances at one another, you felt a calm wash over you. You walked into the depth of her pool with the cool of anxiety, and walked out covered in the warmth of reassurance. The night seemed to only be getting better as you both walked back to the home. Ringo’s cooking was entrapping, the scent swimming through the wind and into your nose, flashing images of ingredients into your mind. Mizu, who was walking ahead of you, turned over her shoulder to catch your eyes. There was a different look to her tonight, a look that warmed your heart. She lifted a hand behind her, you reached forward to grasp it and despite all the oddities the world would speak of your budding hearts that have decided to grow as one, it all was beginning to feel natural.
It was as though the land was no longer large enough for all of you, as you kept finding yourselves in each other's way. Eventually, you came out of your isolation, and you understood that meant seeing her but you were starting to wonder if it was too sudden and if you needed more time. You could feel her eyes on you whenever you crossed paths. How they’d trail you as you walked down halls, into rooms, off to nature. In the back of your mind, you desired her bravery. Reaching out to you so you didn't have to summon the little bravery you barely had. On your walks your mind would drift to her running behind you, pleading for a conversation that would end in a way you couldn't predict. She never spoke, so neither did you.
After a few days of eating alone in your room, Ringo had tried to invite you back to the regular schedule of your meals where you all shared a table together in hopes to bring about normalcy and a long needed discussion perhaps.
You had hoped you would walk in when she was finished with her meal, as she did eat fast. Not fast enough it seems; you entered to spot her still sitting at the table. Silence plagued the room, the apprentice didn't dare swallow his food as even that would make too much noise.
Lowering your gaze, you shuffled to your regular spot before being seated. There was a pause, a stiffness in the air, before you reached for your bowl, followed by the continued sound of eating and wooden sticks hitting wooden bowls. The plan was simple. You would eat with the Master and her apprentice, show appreciation for the meal, and return to your respected corner. Ringo, though you were still frustrated with him slightly, worked too hard preparing meals for everyone to be avoided. You would show your respects, then show your way out. No conversation needed to be had.
A few bites in and you were feeling confident in yourself. This was going smoothly, and you believed everyone had the same plan. Eat in silence, leave in silence. It was just a meal.
“(Y/N)-” and with the sound of her voice, you stood immediately. You had not heard her voice in so long, let alone her first words be your name. It startled you and your first reaction was to flee. You couldn't hear what she had to say. Not now.
It was too soon. You weren't as ready as you thought you were. Your blood ran cold, and you almost collapsed with how fast you stood. Her reflexes kicked in and she reached out to catch you, but the thought of her touching you at this moment sent panic throughout your body and you involuntarily forced yourself away from her reach.
You could see the sadness in her eyes as you did so. The longing to touch you as her fingers twitched. The understanding of why you wouldn't let her . She withdrew, and in that flash of a moment you thought of all the years she had been denied touch. How something as simple as helping you to not fall would mean so much to her in that moment. In a world where her birth marked her as an abomination to never be shown humanity. It was human to touch one another, and she had been denied that all of her life. The only possible way through bloodshed and death. She longed to touch and be touched, and in helping you it would mean her touch was not always destructive. She wasn't a demon set to destroy and be destroyed. Though it was quick, you could see the vulnerability in her eyes. In that moment she wanted to be just Mizu. Stopping your stumble. Catching your fall.
Your chest mimicked the wild oceans, rising and falling before you fled from an unfinished meal and avoided conversation.
Eventually you would have to get over this, you decided. You needed to. It was either that or leave. Mizu and Ringo didn’t make any indications that you had overstayed your welcome. It was never brought up, or hinted. If anything, Ringo was more than happy to have an imaginary home with you and his Master. You would have to be the one to walk away.
And yet you could not bring yourself to leave.
It would be so easy. You were brought here with nothing, you could leave with nothing. You could run far away from this place. Far from the blacksmith's plot of land. Far from Ringo’s home cooked meals and warmth. Far from Mizu.
That’s what always got you. Everything was logical until it came to her, which frustrated you. A few months before this, you didn't think this way. This misty fog has clouded your judgement, and this new growth has held your heart in place, anchoring you to this spot. The vines wrapped around her ribcage. You would have to cut them in order to flee. It was the right thing to do. You had no actual reason to be beside her.
And yet here you were.
Shears in hand you could see yourself standing before her, roots growing from your chest and in her direction. You could stop this. You should. She stood before you in the dark of your mind, unmoving and patient for your decision. Eventually it would reach her and wrap itself deeper into who she was. The roots would thicken, making it even more difficult to cut away. You needed to end this now. Uproot this new growth so that you could leave with no baggage.
But you wanted the baggage.
You wanted the weight of this emotion that crushed your chest as it grew. You wanted the difficulty that came with breathing beside her. You wanted your roots to grow to her. You wanted her to feel your new season. You wanted her, after a long winter, to feel spring. The shears shook in your hand.
In mythologies, fables and religions spoken and shared amongst the masses, demons are often spirits of trickery. They tempt you, luring you in with promises of pleasure, or what is beyond the hearts desire without informing you of the trap set before you. Like moths to a flame, different souls find themselves following behind before they are eventually consumed whole by either their unsatisfied lust or greed. The demons in these stories, though at fault, are never to blame. It is always the fault of the one who chose to indulge.
This was your fault. You knew what he was before you knew who he was.
He..She. That woman. The Onryo.
Did she ask you to become closer than you two were supposed to? Did she ask for you to see past her coldness? Did she ask for you to see her as human? Did she ask for your desire?
The answer to all of the questions you had was simple, but it brought in anger from within you that felt similar to the anger from the beginning.
You continued to be played for a fool by one person.
Whether it was in a town following the two of them, or sizing her up just to be taken down again and again, she continuously found ways to bring instability to your footing and force you onto your back.. Now it was her entire identity laughing in your face, asking you how you could be so blind.
And it brought you to anger.
Who was this person you had been healing and housing beside for this long? This stranger with more layers than a cave.
When you entered your room that night, you felt the weight of your mind bring you to your knees. Your thoughts and feelings creeped out of your skull and crowded your room at high volume. Anger and confusion were the loudest, spouting out the most obvious questions
A liar. A true demon. He couldn't have told us? What does any of this mean!
He? She! She has been pretending to be this..man! And you fell for it, just like everyone else. You're not as observant as you pride yourself to be.
A voice you knew well to be Disgust spoke up now, a voice as slimy as pond seaweed.
And what makes it worse is she lured you in with your desperate need to feel something. This isn't how you were raised. In desperate need of comfort and reassurance, you’ve fallen in love with a woman.
Disgust stood above you, echoing thoughts of distant disapproval from a man you’d never see again.
What would he think of you now? Not that he even thinks of you anymore after what you’ve done. Is this what happens when you are casted away from greatness? You become lost? You fall in love ?
They all spoke above one another, berating you as you clung to your robe, trying to make sense of it all. A hushed voice spoke from the shadows in the far corner, as soft and shy as a warm thought.
We’ve fallen in love?
And with that all the other voices came to a silent pause as that thought echoed throughout your room.
And did the samurai ask you to fall for her? And because you knew the answer to that question you also knew well who to blame now that you were in this predicament. Moths, flames, and whatnot.
~
You didn't count the days that passed, as you had taken shelter in your secluded room. Hunger pinched at your stomach, but you ignored the sensation with sleep or distracted yourself with the same thoughts that have been racing your mind sunrises and moons ago.
It soon became a puzzle to you. You would stare into the wood above your head from the floor you lay on. Anger eventually diminished into frustration.
Throughout your missions, you’ve decorated your body to play into roles more suited for the job. It wasn't unusual for one to adopt a chameleon soul to move about the world undetected. She needed to be undetected, and she had a mission. She told you. You replayed the conversation in your mind, looking for any more deceit, but she was genuine everytime. Her voice played in your head, her features serious and stern. Everything she said to you she meant. At Least she didn't lie about that.
Your mind brought you back to the night she had saved you. As painful as it was to remember, you could still see flashes in between your slipping consciousness. Mizu fighting off your father. The feeling of her arms wrapped around your waist, her strength as she pulled you out and away from your nearing death. What would your father have thought if he knew this enraged swordsman causing turmoil and disruption all over Japan, plotting and scheming to remove his head from his shoulders, was a woman. Your father, who thought so little of women, was being hunted by one and based on her persistence; and previous targets who can no longer speak to tell the story of their paths crossing, she would have been successful. Your fathers face came into view behind your eyes as you thought of telling him all of this. You could almost see his reaction, or at least his attempt to diminish any trace of one. You could see him nod, taking in the information. You could almost hear him laugh.
A woman coming to kill him.
No, not just a woman.
Your Father’s daughter.
Then it began to make sense. Her dressing as a man to not be spotted, staying undetected and keeping to herself. In this world with men's egos as fragile as a ceramic tea cup tottling on the edge of its table, to discover not only were they being hunted but bested by a woman..The bounty on her head would bring the poorest man out of poverty and into the rooms rubbing shoulders with the wealthy. It would make the wealthy reach the status of royals, possibly nearing the doors of the heavens because if one was wealthy enough, one could become like god and what was more divine than banishing a demon.
You were beginning to understand her reasoning, but it still pulled at you to the point of annoyance and you couldn't wrap your mind on why. It shouldn't bother you this much. It wouldn't bother you this much if you weren't..
A soft voice spoke from behind the shut door.
“Master said you might want space when I asked..I just wanted to be sure you..”
You rolled over to your front side before standing to your feet to swing the door with a swift harsh motion. Ringo stared up from the floor of the door with a tray and small portions of his meals, the same way he had displayed it when you were healing. He thought you had fallen ill.
“She doesn't get to dictate what I need.” You spoke coldly, watching Ringo’s face grow still from realization.
Turning from him, you stumbled a bit before sitting in the center from the room. It had been a while since a proper meal, and standing quickly reminded you of that. You wouldn't face him as he entered the room, even as the smell of a home cooked meal neared you.
“How long have you known?”
He shuffled his way to the front of you in silence before kneeling with the tray. Your eyes drifted to the corner, refusing to look his way. You assumed he was in on the dishonesty from his silence as he set up the displand removed the lids. Though it was small portions, everything smelled delicious as usual. How long has it been since you’ve eaten..
“I’m not-”
“She didn't reveal her secret to me. It was by accident. I..” he chuckled to himself before picking up chopsticks.
“I followed her after a battle, determined to make this great samurai my master. She was cleaning her wounds when I found her..unclothed..Held her sword this close to my face. I thought I was going to lose my nose, she was so swift and on guard.” he held the chopstick close to your nose, and the smell took over your senses. Your stomach rumbled loud enough for both of you to hear. He nudged the rice towards your lips, poking them with a little noise before you sighed and grabbed the sticks. How he could make light of this situation was beyond you. You thought your anger was displayed well enough.
“How can you even call her that.”
“What? Master?” he said, sliding the bowl to you.
“Yes! A title reserved for the greatest of samurai’s? Someone who has taken down many men with their mastery of combat and strategy, someone who respects the craft of the sword, someone who is selfless and..and..I just don’t understand it..” You could hear your fathers ideology in your voice, the way he spoke about women slipping into your words before plopping themselves before Ringo who smiled at you warmly.
“Someone who is strategic and masterful in combat and strategy?” he repeated your words and let them float off in the air of silence between you two as you came to a realization. Mizu has done exactly that. In the dungeon, she made sure to free those before her and fight off any guard who came in sight. Her fights have reached the rooms of the affluent, and ears of royalty. You’ve seen her fights, her skill and dedication to it. There was no doubt she was skilled, and if she were a man she would be labeled as one of the youngest and one of the greatest..but she was a woman. That thought kept circling your mind. A woman you had subconsciously grown respect for. A woman you had fallen for. That thought whispered behind it.
“You might need more time to come to this understanding, but I know you will.” He moved the bowl closer to you.
“You will get there, and when you do you’ll realize why I am here too. This is the closest to greatness I can reach, and though I can never touch it, I do not mind helping. I do not mind helping greatness.”
He looked into your eyes with a promising smile before glancing at the bowl of food he was nudging your way. You glanced at the rice, steam floating in between you two and sighed. Ringo’s voice joined the aggressive thoughts that had been circling your mind, bringing them to a slower pace. There was no point in torturing yourself any further. It was only bringing you discomfort as your stomach growled louder. You took into consideration how long it had been since you’ve seen Mizu. Thoughts of her swarmed your mind, followed by her distant voice. You felt your heart pace quicken as flashes of her interrupted your stubborn anger. You would only satisfy one organ at this moment as you took your first bite in days.
